LETTER TO EDITOR: Free horses from unnecessary servitude

Kudos to Mayor DeBlasio for his intent to ban horse-drawn carriages from New York City. Such litigation is long overdue.

God, in Genesis 9:2-3, gave us dominion over all animals that we might survive. He did not include in said dominion the right to torment, torture or otherwise harass His creatures solely for our personal gratification.

Proponents of the horse-drawn carriages contest that the animals don't suffer, that they are treated humanely, that they get lots of rest and days off. Blah, blah, blah. Seriously? I ask these pro-NYC-carriage people how they might feel about having to stand mutely for hours (or even 30 minutes) in filthy, traffic-congested streets, day after day, in frigid cold or sweltering heat while breathing the noxious fumes of thousands upon thousands of vehicles, hearing the unceasing cacophony of horns, sirens, blaring music and shouting people while having no hope of receiving an aspirin or Xanax - all because some tourists wanted to experience riding in a rickshaw. A bleak picture indeed.

Likewise, no justification exists for committing horses to a life of such misery. I understand that horses fall into the category of beasts of burden, capable of performing work we cannot do ourselves. But could we not construct stables within the park itself? Yes, such shelters would cost money, but at what cost cruelty to these animals?

Let those who want to ride through beautiful Central Park find their way to said park via motorized transport. And set stricter limitations to the weather conditions in which the horses should be made to work.

Clearly, I don't expect livery horses to be provided the life of a Triple Crown-winning stud (horse racing - another bone of contention), but reasonable and humane treatment? A more-than-fair tradeoff for the pleasure these noble creatures provide.

Stormie Conway

STANHOPE

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LETTER TO EDITOR: Free horses from unnecessary servitude

Kudos to Mayor DeBlasio for his intent to ban horse-drawn carriages from New York City. Such litigation is long overdue.

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